My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

a seat

about my ‘dream’ and received many gasps and low growls

noticed Dane and Zayd exchanging looks the whole time I was talking, making me feel as if they

I finally asked, looking back and forth

some things that just haven’t been

squeezed my hand

as I stared at him, "Like

friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he

was that? Now we are to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not only bring

to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone can even bring

didn’t want to hurt him," I repeated

believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it didn’t seem to affect you, but

since then, trying to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that

is a part of

this time who

Apollo is more a part of this than any of us realized.I know this

Zayd told me gently.

of being betrayed by my father, the father lam

think you could get in of his

need you to find out as much as you can about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training

bow of heads, a resounding, "Yes

as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need to

as he sat down next to me.I was now sitting on the

I understand," I replied, not really in the mood

calls to make.Do you want to stay home today, or do you want to go over with

to the packhouse." I smiled at

then we can go together.I don’t want you out walking

nodded at

We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a few times

me to the office next door to his where Adria and Genesis

had large books in front of them that looked

"Any luck?"

seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play mats in every room in the

looked at me shaking their

Adria replied.

often.I carefully flipped through the pages as

is rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in

as she

Blaze

to fuss just as Dane walked through the door, "Any

closed the book she was currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet dear.Where is Zayd

phone; he said he would meet

the

would explain Kyra’s mood

isn’t about to miss a meal, I thought

with everyone as we entered

in her highchair between

happened and is still happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting him, I don’t really know anything

on Kyra and how she has been

it was odd

going there, Apollo would

I murmured

should talk privately after

expression became one of worry, but he didn’t

else's distrust get to my head, but I couldn't help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind

was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he had played us...well,

eating lunch, Genesis and Adria took the kids to her house so

this," I stated not

up in surprise at my

ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any sense now to be able to do this on his own, but Apollo is.What if Devin is nothing more than a foot soldier, so to speak? I know y'all already

was engulfed in silence once I finished spilling my

stopped pacing the office to

don’t believe you, because I agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains

shook my head as I thought about it, continuing

did the

I looked at Zayd.

was on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or hoping, it

he did say he was planning to come and speak

little, "Why not talk on the

me, "Vampires are very private,

down, "And your pacing is about to drive me

sigh,

dismissing Ash and Colby, Dane looked at Zayd, "I spoke

was going on.He’s one of the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He

moving a whole pack, but then again, there aren't too many things

sure why he felt he needed to move his pack next

to do that?" I finally

his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack

hear his loyalty wasn’t with Apollo, but with

been willing to stand beside us without hesitation from

Adria call him

he stood from his chair, "remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We don’t need anyone attacking him right

in the office, the silence once